21 Comments

It'll make it easier, Sillies!

This way you won't have to walk back to your car to place a ticket inside, so those less physically able should find this *easier* than the current system. :-)

@Raewyn

Posted on 28-03-2017 16:52 | By Papamoaner

Not true. This is merely a software change. No hardware change has been suggested. Why on earth would they? The idea is to reduce infrastructure cost, not increase it. I travel a lot and am not aware of the "other towns" you refer to that have new machines that don't accept coins. Sorry, but I don't believe you.

Duh!

Posted on 28-03-2017 10:49 | By Raewyn

I think you will will find no coins anymore if it is like other cities!

@ DUH !

Posted on 27-03-2017 16:58 | By Papamoaner

You're all off topic. What has smart phones got to do with the price of fish? This argument is about whether you stick a docket on your car, or let the machine record it for you. Simple! The cost is the same, the philosophy of paying to park is the same. The difference is that this makes it easier for you.You can still push your coins through the wee hole.I think the initiative is perhaps beyond the intellect of the average motorist, just like the new roundabout rules that they simply don't understand, so try to do it by rote - and mostly get it wrong.

confused

Posted on 27-03-2017 15:46 | By gingerpussy

where does it say you need a smartphone?

Kill CBD

Posted on 27-03-2017 11:13 | By Raewyn

I find it crazy that Council would do such a thing like this to drive more people away from the CBD I dont have a smart phone and have no intention on getting one!I will be shopping for free in the suburbs!cbd

By overit asks,

Posted on 26-03-2017 23:19 | By Murray.Guy

Firstly, it is a corrupt process and mindset that singles out the City Centre for the 'double dipping' pay for curb side parking. There are NO costs to provide the CBD street level parking that do not exist in front of your home, your business, your playground and there is NO reason with ANY moral, integrity basis that justifies undermining the CBD economy in the way. That aside, the City Council staff cannot help themselves in regards 'copy & paste', keeping up with elsewhere regardless of the cost and or validity. TCC staff would have told the elected members, who like brainless sheep would have gone along with them, that it is critical to adopt the latest revenue options for the success of 'paid CBD parking'. Truth is, folk do still have that loose change in the car, the purse, and like Rotorua CBD, the old was adequate!

Whew !

Posted on 26-03-2017 20:49 | By Papamoaner

Some people will moan and whinge at anything that moves or changes. It's just another small technological advance. Give it a chance before whining, then if you're still not happy after a month or two, whinge your tiny brains out.

Sounds like a dumb idea

Posted on 26-03-2017 18:28 | By Angel74

to me, why change something that was working, as for a smart phone not everyone has one and its not just the elderly that will find the new system in the too hard basket..........we are trying to get people into town not keep them away.

Dear parking meters ......

Posted on 26-03-2017 17:37 | By begesch

.... I've lived in Tauranga for 10 and half years, and there has been three different parking meters, the fourth one coming up now. Why do we need such modern technologies, keep it simple, keep it easy for everyone, and use all that money for something more important. Constantly changing parking meters, prices, hours to pay etc will not bring more people into the town centre, it will keep more of them away.

Hello

Posted on 26-03-2017 16:43 | By overit

does Council give Trustpower employees a parking discount?

I disagree CC8

Posted on 26-03-2017 14:15 | By The Tomahawk Kid

CC8 says: these changes are only made to appease the property owners and developers. I dont believe that is so. Property owners charge rents to cover their investment. Council increase rates, Investors increase rents. This increase in costs to update the system has to be covered by someone - that will be the property owners. They want this less than you do! Council are parasites on the productive. Council simply see an opportunity to make money for doing nothing creative, and are exploiting it. They are driving people away from the CBD. YET they are in charge of trying to fix the CBD - You will NEVER get a resolution. Its like asking the wolf why the sheep are missing. They will not cease till the CBD is dead - then look for things/people to blame it on. Council are the cause of the problem -not the answer

@BnbyHro

Posted on 26-03-2017 13:54 | By The Sage

Many older people do not have Smart phones so the App thing is not going to work for them. They just won't go into the CBF so there will be even less shoppers. Also many of them struggle with the technical world and eyesight isn't so good so having to key in number plates will wipe out a few more punters.

Every step TCC takes is driving people away.

Posted on 26-03-2017 12:37 | By CC8

I for one will never stop in the so called CBD again. It is dying, these changes are only made to appease the property owners and developers. Trying to convince them that the old town Tauranga is in fact the center of commerce here...IT'S NOT...it is old downtown Tauranga , dead in the daytime and full of drunks at night. TCC spent god knows how much time and money convincing Trustpower to move to Durham Street, and telling the public and retailers that it is a good move...more bull, 500 people locked up in an ivory tower who get 30 mins lunch break , no advantage to retailers there! Oh they justify council parking buildings...council gives Trustpower employees a parking discount. Does that grey concrete block give vibrancy to the city? I hardly think so. I too will shop in the suburban malls hassle free and

well

Posted on 26-03-2017 12:33 | By Capt_Kaveman

there were better people to vote for so the same stigma is what you get

It's only money!

Posted on 26-03-2017 11:38 | By rosbo

Your time bought will be just that. One minute over and the next charge will come in.. if the first 10 mins is over, then a fine for not buying a ticket. It's a good way of making more money.

Smurf

Posted on 26-03-2017 11:28 | By BnbyHro

People from every demographic have been using this system all over the country for years perfectly well. Did you even read the article? You still pay at the machines, you just need to enter your license plate number. If that's too much use the parking app - even easier...

Last Nail in the Coffin!

Posted on 26-03-2017 10:57 | By Mackka

Well it's goodbye CBD for me! .. Hello Bethlehem :) If you have no paper receipt to prove how long you have been in a particular parking space - they can charge you what they like and you have no 'come back'! I can't see how this will save money - are they going to post me a bill for $0.50c or $1.00 for the odd occasion when I do need to go to the CBD? ... Council has spent million in recent years on a number of meter upgrades.... Will they now rip them out and get this new fangled system costing more millions? What is the matter with these people??Can someone please explain how this works? I don't have a 'Smart' phone and won't get one! If they keep the free after 3pm parking, town will be buzzing from 3-5p

Overit

Posted on 26-03-2017 10:27 | By overit

Why spend more money on parking machines. Whats wrong with the present system?

How about this

Posted on 26-03-2017 09:52 | By The Sage

Make the handicap parks free as they are in Hamilton. People have to walk some way to access these machines and, when you are able bodied that is fine, when you aren't it poses a problem. While you are at it TCC paint the handicap parks bright blues, in the CBD, as they are in many other places. Makes them more identifiable for the people who should not park in them.

Another reason not to shop in the city

Posted on 26-03-2017 09:24 | By smurf

What next. I can imagine our more elderly citizens will have much difficulty with this. Easier for the councils revenue collection but not user friendly. I would much rather put money in the ticket machine. I'm off to Bayfair or Papamoa. It will cost me more to drive there but who cares!!